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Kids get to shop with a cop for Christmas

Middletown police, Meijer team up to help local children have presents.

Leigh-Anne Ocampo shows Middletown officer Dan Gibson a couple of puzzles she wants to purchase while shopping at Meijer on Saturday, Dec. 12, as part of a

Contributed photo by David A. Moodie Leigh-Anne Ocampo shows Middletown officer Dan Gibson a couple of puzzles she wants to purchase while shopping at Meijer on Saturday, Dec. 12, as part of a "Shop with a Cop" program through police and Meijer. Each child is given $100 to use for purchases of anything they need or want. Funds for the program are donated by local companies and individuals.

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By Ryan Gauthier, Staff Writer 8:24 PM Saturday, December 19, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Fifty-five Middletown children got an early Christmas present this year, when they were selected to take part in the city’s annual Christmas with a Cop program.

The kids were stuffed with doughnuts, juice and milk, armed with $100 and set loose on Meijer last Saturday, Dec. 12, where they were given free-reign to buy anything they wanted.

Jack Wolf said he and his wife decided to help out less-fortunate kids he came to know through volunteer work at Amanda Elementary School.

“You work with kids who are so full of excitement, joy and happiness yet don’t have anything and it starts to put everything into perspective,” Wolf said. “My wife and I have been rather fortunate this year and thought we’d try to give a little back.”

Roberta Baker, store secretary with the Middletown Meijer, has been coordinating the program alongside police for nearly a decade.

When donations were coming up short for this year’s outing, Baker said Meijer decided to step up and donate $3,900. That’s around $900 more than the store has traditionally put into the program, but Baker said it’s well worth it.

“It’s just the joy of the kids, seeing them running around and getting excited,” Baker said. “I get the biggest kick out of it.”

While most of the kids buy toys and games for themselves, Baker said there are a few who will pick up gifts for their parents or siblings. One child took the $100 and used it to buy groceries for his entire family.

“He was like, ‘we’re going to have us a Christmas dinner,’ ” Baker said, choking up. “It absolutely broke my heart.”

As for the kids themselves, they agreed the experience was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Aaron Campero, 12, said he enjoyed himself and thought it was “nice how people are giving out $100 for Christmas.”

“I think it’s great because it can help people out,” said 11-year-old Joleen Ocampo.

Donors included the American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, Meijer, Bob Evans, Jack Wolf, AIM Inc., Fraternal Order of Eagles, Fraternal Order of Orioles, Paychex and an additional anonymous donor.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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